Manchester United might have unknowingly let go of a top-tier goalkeeper without spending a dime, a decision that is now coming under scrutiny. While much attention has been placed on André Onana’s performances, it turns out the club may have already had a superior alternative in their ranks. Instead of recognizing and securing his talents, they allowed him to leave for free—a move that could go down as a major oversight.
With ongoing debates about Onana’s suitability, many now wonder if United had their ideal ‘De Gea 2.0’ all along but failed to realize it. The goalkeeper in question, who left for a new challenge without fanfare, has since been excelling elsewhere, displaying the very skills United desperately sought. If there were ever a case of hindsight revealing a costly misjudgment, this might be one of the biggest goalkeeping errors the club has made in recent years.
The name that comes to mind is Matej Kovar, who departed for Bayer Leverkusen last summer. Since making the switch to the Bundesliga, he has showcased outstanding shot-stopping ability and composure on the ball—the exact attributes United wanted in Onana. His performances raise an uncomfortable question: Did Manchester United let go of a better-suited goalkeeper without truly realizing his worth?
